Mitochondrial modulation of lifespan

Abstract

A major goal of healthy aging research is to identify interventions that retard the underlying aging process and age-related diseases. Recent advances have shown that aging is regulated by various signaling pathways and modulating these pathways can result in lifespan extension. The first pathway shown to influence aging in animals was the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway. More recently, studies in nematodes, fruit flies (work from the host lab) and mammals have revealed that moderate knock-down of the genes important for mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) function can also promote longevity. Moreover, the host lab has shown that targeted knock-down of certain ETC genes in neuronal tissue is sufficient to delay aging at the organismal level. The overall aim of this research project is to better understand the relationship between mitochondrial ETC activity, in different cells and tissues, and the rate of aging. The host lab has identified a number of mitochondrial gene manipulations that lead to alterations in longevity. Here, it is proposed to utilize these reagents to gain insight into the longevity-modulating mechanisms associated with altered mitochondrial function. Key words: Aging, Mitochondria, Electron transport chain, Drosophila, Longevity